General features
The Cascata del Toce (Toce Waterfall), with a jump of 143 m, has been celebrated by writers, travelers and painters and represents one of the wonders of Ossola. At the top of the waterfall, the historic hotel has been located since 1863, the center of alpine tourism at the beginning of the century. On the Riale plain, the Mario Rigoni Stern path branches off towards Alpe Furculti. The path wants to remember the writer's presence in Formazza in the winter 1938-1939 on the occasion of the Skiers Course of the Alpine Military School.
The route
From the town hall square of Ponte, follow the signs for the G00d path, a variant of the Via del Gries. Shortly before the ENEL power station, cross the bridge and begin to climb a large path that above Brendo becomes a track up to the front of Grovella. From here the track becomes steeper and to get to Canza you have to go up a hill ("the Cree"). Once in Canza, do not cross the river, but continue on a track that runs alongside it and which after a while becomes a steep but short path that crosses another hill to get to Sottofrua. From here continue following the signs for Riale first for a short stretch on a dirt track, then for a wide path that leads to the beautiful bridge right at the foot of the Toce waterfall. Cross the bridge and continue on a beautiful mule track that climbs in steps up to the top of the waterfall. Once you reach the top of the waterfall, continue to Riale along the asphalted road or the old mule track (G00 trail sign). In front of the Hotel Aalts Dorf in Riale an arrow and a commemorative plaque indicate the beginning of the "Mario Rigoni Stern path". The trail climbs up to the Furculti plains and crosses the mountain pasture track for Alpe Nefelgiu which you have to follow in the direction of Lake Morasco. At least pass in front of the Bim See refuge and then along the paved road you will return to Riale.
Notes: the route can be shortened by about 2 hours starting directly from the Toce waterfall, reachable by bus (only with summer timetable)
Area: Formazza Valley
Notable Items along the Track
Toce waterfall, Walser culture in Formazza, Casa Forte di Ponte - Formazza, Lake Morasco
Accesso con mezzi pubblici
Reference bus stop: Ponte Formazza, Domodossola - Cascate del Toce Attention: Riale and the Toce waterfall can be reached by bus only in summer from June to mid-September, in winter the bus ends in Ponte.